Figure Drawing

Course Objectives:

   * Students will work on developing "hand/eye" coordination in order to create accurate representations of the human form.
   * Students will work towards developing a knowledge of composition.
   * Students will learn to indicate mass and volume through the controlled application of tonal value (gradients).
   * Students will learn to apply their perceptual drawing skills via a wide variety of media (black/white and color).
   * Students will learn and exhibit the proper proportions of the human body in their drawings.
   * Identify and evaluate artists and artworks in class discussions, oral presentations, and by written means.

Attendance Policy:

     Students must be on time for class.  Tardiness will be noted and the North Attendance Policy will be followed with regard to tardiness. Students excessively tardy will be dropped from class. Tardy students most likely will miss out on completing "bell work" thereby lowering their grade.  Being on time for class shows respect for yourself, your classmates, and your teacher. For a list of other important classroom policies please see Procedures page.

 

Quarter

Content

Skills

Assessments

Michigan Standards

GPPSS Standards

1

Elements of Art (A Review)

Composition, Line, Shape, Form, Space, Color, and Texture are the "elements" of Art.


   * Presentation on Elements of Art and Class Discussion
  
 

Figure Drawing Advanced students will assist in the presentation rotating in and out of the role as lecturer assisting the teacher.

Student will understand and identify each design concept.

Elements of Art:

• Line
• Color
• Shape
• Space
• Texture

Principles of Design:

• Balance
• Proportion
• Rhythm
• Emphasis
• Unity

* Sketchbook and/or bell work assignments will be given.

-human proportion study

• face
• body

C1, C3, C5, P1, P2, P3, P4,

3, 8

1

1. Proportions Unit

   * Basic Human Proportions Study (face/body)

   * Proportions Quiz (10 pts)

   * Skeletal Study (10 pts.)

• face/body proportions
• drawing

Classwork will include:

1. Face Proportion study
2. Body Diagram
3. Skeleton contour drawing

C3, P2,

2, 8

1

2. Gesture Drawing Unit

   * Mass
   * Scribble
   * Line
   * Sustained

• gesture drawing
• proportion
• composition

   * Mass
   * Scribble
   * Line
   * Sustained

C3, C4, C5, P2,

1, 4

2

3. Contour Drawing Unit

* Blind Contour (10 pts)

* Modified Contour (10 pts)

 * Cross Contour

• proportion
• contour
• seeing

*Blind Contour and Modified Contour drawings in a variety of poses/costumes  (practice makes perfect)

C3, C4, P2,

1, 4

2

4. Value with the Figure

AHR examples may include Verrochio, Pollaiuolo, and DaVinci portraits where “shadows and highlights fuse without hatching or strokes, as does smoke.” (Leonardo DaVinci, 1490)

Emphasis on emotive and expressive qualities of value as well as continued discussion of proportional accuracy.  Work will be displayed in art show.

• charcoal
• pencil
• graphite stick
• conte’ crayon

• Sustained gesture drawings completed in each media.(practice, practice, ...)
• One page self critique using form below as a starting point for discussion of finished emotive, value drawing
• “Best” drawing will be graded using Item 1, Critique format below

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, P1, P2, P3, P4, R1, R2, R3, R4

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

2

5. Narrative Portrait (media of choice)

AHR may include communicative art work used by various entities (political, religious, commercial, and other).

Using proportion, value, and compositional skill, you will create a drawing that contains a story/message that relates to an issue in contemporary society.  Will you simply illuminate or will you provide a lesson for the viewer?

• Proportion
• Composition
• Value
• Media (choice)
• Planning of project will include:
• conceptual plan
• thumbnail sketches
• rough draft
• final draft

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, P1, P2, P3, P4, R1, R2, R3, R4

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Final Exam Project

• Part One:  (20 points)
• Written Response:  Write an Artist Statement about your portfolio (your work from this and/or other art classes) outlining how your work reflects your own personal vision.
• Write a three paragraph artist's statement. Keep your sentences authentic and direct. Use the present tense ("I am," not "I was," "I do," not "I did.") Be brave: say nice things about yourself.  As a rule, your artist's statement should be written in the first person. Refer to yourself with the pronouns "I, me, my." Write three to five sentences per paragraph.
• ____(5) First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations.
• ____(5)  Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions in the course of your work. How and why do you select materials, techniques, themes? Keep it simple and tell the truth.
• ____(5)  Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current work. How it is grew out of prior work or life experiences. What are you exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work.
• ____(5)  Summary Paragraph Reflect on this past semester and the work that you did in Figure Drawing. Evaluate your participation in class.  Tell the reader what you learned and how you would like to grow in the future.
• ____(20) Total for Artist Statement

Final Art Project: (20 points)  Choose one project from the following:

Choice One:  Mixed Media Emotive Figure Drawing

Communicate a specific feeling using at least two different media and the model. Plan your composition ahead of time and discuss with your teacher before you begin. Use “regular” paper for the rough draft and the good paper for the final draft.  Your drawing will be critiqued using the Item 2, universal rubric below.

Choice Two:  Narrative Figure Drawing

Tell a story using the figure and a specific setting.  Composition is really important here as well as detail. Your story should be interesting to a wide audience.  Remember the “art as communication” discussion and work with a “story” that is important to you.  Your drawing will be critiqued using the Item 2, universal rubric below.

____(40) Total Possible for Exam Grade

Item 1, Self-Evaluation Rubric     Lacking (0 – 1) Average (2) Better (3) Best (4) Subject Matter Inappropriate subject or lacking concept. Some attempt at expressing subject. The subject has been dynamically expressed. The subject shows wit, character and personal interpretation. Completeness The project was never started or never finished. The basic work was done with minor flaws. The work has covered all of the project requirements. The work shows good use of the design elements and principles in addition to all the project requirements. Creativity The image is trite, copied or without personal interpretation. There was some planning and original thought reflected in the work. The work includes personal reactions that are descriptive and insightful. The work shows a fresh and personal interpretation with historical or artistic basis that speaks to other artists. Design Little or no thought went into the placement of shapes or forms in the project. The work has little in the way of composition or balance. Shapes or forms have been arranged to support the design. Nothing can be added or subtracted without hurting the design. Technique Inconsistent use of techniques. Clear understanding of techniques but the work lacks refinement. Use of techniques is evident and consistent in the work. Skills and techniques are used to create a purposeful, emotional or intellectual impact in work. Effort Often off task, disruptive or talking. Little class time used on the project. Materials often forgotten. Occasionally off task, unfocused, work sometimes forgotten. In a rush to complete assignments. Work done last minuet. Class time used effectively and always on task. Some extra effort was given to the work. Totally absorbed with work and a great deal of time was spent thinking and working outside of class. Productivity Not all assigned work was completed. The work was completed but with low quality. Everything was completed and some work was redone or extra effort was given to the work. There is excitement about the art assignments so all work is finished to the best ability over and above the assigned expectations. Knowledge There is confusion about the concepts and vocabulary associated with this art form. There is some awareness of the terms and concepts but can not discuss in own work or that of others. Able to critique own work and that of others based on design elements and principals. Articulation of the historical and contemporary art influences as well as design elements and principals that have informed the work. Item 2, Universal Rubric for 2 Dimensional Composition/Design DOES YOUR DESIGN/COMPOSITION   1. Have variety in shape, size, direction, contrast in value, color,etc.? 2. Connect with the edge or run to and off the edges of the paper or frame? 3. Have a strong and recognizable focal point or center of interest? Where?________________________________ 4. Show balance? 5. Not have itself cut in half:: horizontally, vertically, or diagionally? 6. Use both positive and negative space? 7. Create a sense of depth? 8. Encourage the viewer to use imagination? 9. Show unity by having some repetition of some visual elements (line, shape, color,etc) ? 10. Encourage the viewer's eye to move through the design? (eye flow) 11. Not have the eye directed out of the picture plane (frame)? 12. Have a sense of organization? 13. Show originality and creativity? 14. Have enough small detail to be visually interesting? P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E   P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E   P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E P F G VG E